Cancer Widespread in India: Air Pollution Increasing the Number of Lung Cancer Patients


Bangalore: Pollution has become a serious issue that is nearly impossible to curb. A new study by World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency says that, air pollution is the major cause of cancer and Indian states like Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand show the maximum concentration of life-threatening cancerous elements in the atmosphere, reports Vishwa Mohan for The Times of India.

The reports by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for 2010 said that that Kolkata and Delhi are among the worst affected cities by air pollution.

Interestingly, the figures compiled by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 2009-11 is in full support with the conclusions of the world health body for placing 'air pollution' elements like tobacco, UV radiation and plutonium under the same category that cause lung cancer.

With concern of the ICMR data which showed that the highest number of lung cancer cases is from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata in 2009-11, environmentalist and director general of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain says, "It is a worrying development. We need to take urgent steps to find ways to deal with the menace of air pollution which directly affects our health", reports TOI.

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